Aid Agency CARE Lay Off 54 Workers

Citing a dropoff in donations, CARE, the international aid agency with its U.S. headquarters in Atlanta, says it has laid off 54 workers. Adam Hicks, CARE's vice president for communications and marketing, said Thursday that donations during the first quarter of 2009 are down by 8 percent compared with last year. Hicks says 43 of the layoffs are in Atlanta, and that remaining staff and management salaries are being reduced. CARE's annual report says it brought in $297 million from non-governmental sources in fiscal 2008. After the layoffs, it has 255 workers in Atlanta.

(Associated Press)

Atlanta United Way Nears Fundraising Goal

United Way of Metropolitan Atlanta says it has raised almost all of the $82 million the charitable organization set out to raise through its current fundraising campaign.

So far, the organization says it has $80.5 million toward the goal, which was announced six months ago.

The organization's new theme urges would-be donors to "live united" by showing their concern for less fortunate neighbors through cash and volunteering.

The organization recently has focused on placing homeless in supportive housing and expanding a statewide hot line for the impoverished.

(AP)